Song of the Day: Ghosts I've Met - The Shape of Space

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song is “The Shape of Space” by Ghosts I’ve Met from the 2015 self-released album The Shape of Space.

Ghosts I've Met - The Shape of Space (MP3)

Ghosts I've Met is an authentically "Seattle" band in that the group, started in 2005 by Michigan transplant Sam Watts, ties in easily with the intricate local music community. Members of the band have either belonged to or worked with some of our favorite Washington acts including Modest Mouse, Fleet Foxes, J. Tillman, and Damien Jurado. While the band is firmly grounded in the Pacific Northwest, Watts' writing often draws inspiration from his time visiting his grandparents in the Bay Area. You can recognize Watts from his signature fedora, given to him by his grandfather, visual artist Sam Richardson, who the group’s latest album is dedicated to. Watts follows Richardson's legacy in his own artistic craft, which Michael Lerner (The Antlers) describes as "painting vivid pictures through... words."

The quintet follows their 2011 full-length with The Shape of Space, an album that showcases Watts' talent as a singer-songwriter and the band's ability to overwhelm listeners with a reflective placidity. The album's intimate title track has Watts yearning for closure. His reverbed voice evokes another favorite Northwest artist, Brandon Summers (The Helio Sequence), in its even delivery and sober tranquility. You can feel the subdued waves of sound lapping as you gladly sink further into this watery track.

Ghosts I’ve Met will perform at KEXP's New Home Benefit on March 21st with Paula Boggs. Until then, check out their Facebook page and website.